Sara Rothenberger

Sara Rothenberger arrived at RISD in the summer of 2023 from Connecticut College where she served as assistant dean for residential education and living starting in 2012. Her professional career started as a counselor to adolescents in the judicial system. She made the switch to working in higher education in 2000. Her previous higher education administration experience includes service in four different US states, and Pratt Institute, an art and design institution in New York City. Prior to arriving at RISD, Sara's work focused on housing and residential life at predominantly small, private, liberal arts institutions. Her work at small institutions allowed growth as a student affairs generalist and Sara has experience with teaching, curricular planning, orientation programs, student judicial affairs, student wellbeing, community engagement and emergency planning.

In her role at RISD, Sara is responsible for the oversight, supervision and planning for the Center for Student Involvement (CSI), the office of Conduct & Community Standards, Disability Support Services (DSS), Student Support Service (CARE Network) and Student Success Services. Sara leads and supports a staff dedicated to assisting students remove barriers toward their ultimate goal of a degree from RISD.

Sara earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Westminster College (PA) and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Minnesota. She earned her doctor of philosophy degree in Human Development with an emphasis on higher education administration from Marywood University (with a dissertation that assessed the catalysts and correlates of college student's interest and commitment to social justice).